If the children of Saalaipudhur are able to get primary education in their own hamlet instead of walking 4 km every day, it is due to the land donated by slain police officer S. Periapandian five years ago.
As a boy, Periapandian had to walk every day to reach his school, TDTA Middle School at Moovirunthaazhi, a nearby village. He had to walk a few kilometresthrough rain-fed farms which would get flooded during monsoon.
“As going to the school was difficult during rain, he [Periapandian] donated 15 cents of land free of cost when the government decided to open a primary school in our village. Now, 50 children, including 20 girls, are studying in the Panchayat Union Primary School,” said S. Joseph, the police officer’s brother.
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Of the 100 families in Saalaipudhur, a predominantly Dalit-populated hamlet, Periapandian’s family is the only family belonging to Thevar community, often portrayed as anti-Dalit.
He voluntarily donated his land for the school that now gives primary education to mostly Dalit children, his brother said.
He is remembered by the villagers and relatives as a courageous and kind-hearted officer. “He would try and help anyone seeking help, if the request was genuine,” Mr. Joseph said.
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